Patrick Mavhura

Peter Mavhura
Peter Mavhura
Born	Peter Mavhura
Title	Former ZBC CEO
Term	2014 - August 2019
Predecessor	Happyson Muchechetere
Successor	Wisdom Hombarume

Patrick Mavhura is a Zimbabwean journalist and former chief executive officer of ZBC. He was appointed ZBC acting CEO in 2014 when Happyson Muchechetere was suspended for alleged corruption. He was eventually made substantive CEO in June 2017. In August 2019, he was replaced by Wisdom Hombarume.

On 12 August 2019, Mavhura was arrested for corruption.^[1]

Career

He was appointed acting CEO in 2014 when Mr Happison Muchechetere was suspended for alleged corruption. ZBC board chairman Father Gibson Munyoro said after observing and assessing the performance, conduct, competences, qualifications and commitment of Mr Mavhura to the ZBC and its operations, the board on May 9 2017 resolved to appoint him on a permanent basis. According to Munyoro Mavhura's appointment is for a fixed term of five years and is performance-based.^[2]

Controversy

Vehicle Scam

He was accused of acquiring 35 vehicles from Croco Motors without following due process, prejudicing Government of $20,000. On November 3, 2015, Mavhura wrote to the Secretary for Information, Media and Broadcasting Services, George Charamba, seeking authority to buy 20 Toyota Hilux single-cab vehicles, 15 Nissan Datsun sedans and 10×30-seat Toyota Coaster vans valued at $1 719 900.

On November 25,2015 it is alleged, Mavhura and ZBC’s acting head of finance and administration Benania Shumba met Central Mechanical Equipment Department (CMED) officials to negotiate purchase of the vehicles. The meeting was informal and the two got specifications and requirements that included seeking Cabinet Authority for the purchase.

CMED officials are said to have indicated that ZBC was to pay the department 2,5 percent of the total value as commission if the broadcaster wanted to ride on its tender. Charamba then wrote a letter to the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development, Munesuishe Munodawafa, on 14 December, seeking authority for direct purchase of the vehicles on behalf of ZBC.

It is alleged the letter specified that ZBC had already secured quotations of vehicles from Croco Motors as outlined in the ZBC letter with a cumulative value of $1 719 900. On January 19, 2016 Mavhura convened and held a meeting with Croco Motors where they decided and agreed to procure a completely different set of motor vehicles from those they were pursuing on the Cabinet Authority, with a completely different value and without the involvement of CMED.

On January 23, 2016 Mavhura allegedly sent an e-mail to Father Gibson Munyoro, the ZBC board chairman, informing him that they were expecting the first batch of 20 Ford Ranger pick-up vehicles from Croco Motors.

On February 5, 2016 Mabhura the Cabinet Authority which specified that they were supposed to buy the 45 vehicles as outlined in their application for values as they indicated. On the same day, Mavhura and Shumba originated an RTGS transfer of $649 000 to Croco Motors against a procurement agreement with a barter deal of 75 percent payment and 25 percent retention being broadcasting/advertisement airtime to be enjoyed by Croco Motors on ZBC.

The State alleges there was no contract/agreement document to back the barter and that Mavhura and Shumba tried to regularise the unlawful and unprocedural purchase by ordering CMED officials to backdate key documents. On May 18, 2016, it is alleged, they authorised payment of $20 000 as the CMED’s commission.The matter was picked up by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission, leading to Mavhura and Shumba’s arrest.^[3]